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From Escalation to Engagement: How to Avoid War Atlantische Initiative E.V

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From Escalation to Engagement: How to Avoid War Atlantische Initiative E.V ATLANTIC MEMO #37 From Escalation to Engagement: How to Avoid War Atlantische Initiative e.V. In light of renewed tensions between Iran and the West, the contributors of Atlantic Wilhelmstraße 67 Community's Iran theme week agreed that Europe and the United States must address the 10117 Berlin conflict in a fundamental and comprehensive manner, as opposed to simply military means. There is still time to avoid an armed conflict. The conventional perceptions of Germany Iranian intentions and behavior are mainly driven by fear. The resulting European and US policy choices of isolation and sanctions leave Iranian policymakers with little room to Tel: +49.30.206 337 88 Fax: +49.30.246 303 633 operate and increase the influence of hardliners. With little to no maneuvering room, Iranian foreign decision-makers are willing to accept more risk. The cycle of mistrust and escalation must be broken; this Atlantic Memo summarizes the recommendations for breaking that cycle. Atlantic Memo Contributors Florian Broschk, Security Advisor 1. Reframe Middle East Regional Policy Carmine Finelli, Università degli studi di Roma "La The transatlantic partners must reassess their regional policy. While Israel is indeed an Sapienza" ally, policy is tilted too heavily in its favor. Any transatlantic policy must recognize the interests of every country in the Middle East without exception. Cutting off regional powers Vince Klösters, Radboud University Nijmegen does more harm than good (Finelli). In particular, Iran seeks recognition from the international community for its scientific achievements and legitimacy for its regime. As Sascha Lohmann, such, any solution can only be found within a larger regional framework that represents Free University Berlin Iran’s and its neighbors’ interests alike (Lohmann). Jason Naselli, Atlantic-community.org In fact, Iran itself is far less of a strategic threat than other dangers in the region (Broschk). As with US rapprochement toward its former Cold War rivals, political considerations should not stop the West from engaging Iran. The transatlantic partners must also work closely with Russia and China and seriously consider their policy proposals for ending the standoff (Naselli). 2. Initiate a Coherent Nuclear Non-Proliferation Stance The US and its European partners must address nuclear proliferation in a coherent manner and take concrete steps toward a more legitimate nuclear regime. In its current shape, the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty makes even the legitimate use of nuclear technology suspicious (Naselli). The demand that Iran not possess the full nuclear fuel cycle undermines the West’s normative reach in light of its own nuclear weapons. Specifically, the US arsenal constitutes far more than necessary for an effective deterrent (Naselli). Therefore, the US should make a symbolic gesture of unilateral reduction down to levels measured in hundreds rather than the thousands. In addition, any discussion of nuclear non-proliferation must encompass Israel as the country's nuclear arsenal serves as an important motivator and excuse for Iranian ambitions (Klösters). Only a nuclear-weapons-free zone in the Middle East will prevent Iran and other Arab countries from pursuing the nuclear option. 3. Europe Must Take the Lead At the moment, engagement between the US and Iran is next to impossible considering both states are locked into their positions. For either side to give in is tantamount to losing (Lohmann). Against this backdrop, Europe must reactive its own Iran policy as it is least likely to lose face in the current environment (Naselli). The goal must be to deescalate the situation while building up trust for future negotiations and at the same time not allow Iran to play different Western countries against one another (Lohmann). European engagement, in close consultation with the US, could act as a conduit for eventual rapprochement between the US and Iran. Practically, France and Germany must lead these efforts as they are the most trusted by and experienced in dealing with Iran. Atlantic Memos showcase the best ideas and arguments from debates in the Open Think Tank on atlantic-community.org. All policy recommendations in this document were made by registered members of the Atlantic Community. .
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